We have a home on Lake George, one of the most special places in the world to me. It’s beautiful and special and unspoiled. We LOVE when people visit and when we bought it, we hoped that one day our children would fill the house with laughter and friends and family. This past weekend one of our sons brought his 17 friends to stay. The house was full of giggling and silliness and even more impressive, with real books and conversations and phone free activities. They broke a few seats and there were blow up mattresses in every corner, but the sound of old fashioned fun is still ringing in my ears. Take a chance, invite the people, fill your spaces with community. Every spill and scrape is worth the memories.

If you’re looking to unplug and amuse, check out our game selection this summer. I know this doesn’t look like much, but this marble game is a WINNER with all ages from 6-100. I can’t say more, just put it on a table and wait and see what happens. An addictive solitaire game that hooks everyone. Promise.

Love love love these art books to introduce children to famous works of art. The Cat Nap chases a cat and mouse through the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s the perfect book to share before a visit to the city.

Have you tried these yet? Seriously. They’re SO good. Made fresh at General Bake Shop and delivered straight to us, they are the perfect treat. General Bake Shop has been delivering us fresh baked goods, chicken and quinoa salads, cookies and treats. We are so excited to feature their items along side Wave Hill Bread, Hungry Gnome and other great local vendors. Yum.

Join us July 27, from 10am-12pm, for a pottery workshop to create your own paint palette and water bowl. No experience necessary, beginners welcome! Elana will walk you through all of the steps and help you create the perfect piece. You will create your pieces and Elana will take the to fire and glaze with a gorgeous white gloss finish. We were all amazed by the pieces we made in the last workshop!!! So much fun. $75/person includes 3 finished pieces.

Join us on July 30th, from 2:30pm-4:30pm, for a pottery workshop creating cheese boards and dip bowls! We will create patterns with herbs and paint. Pieces will be fired and glazed and returned as finish pieces. No experience necessary, beginners welcome! $80/person includes 2 hour workshop, materials and finishing work. The last workshop was an absolute blast! Be sure to sign up asap and get in on the fun.

Save the date! We will be hosting a ton of authors on August 18th, from 2-4pm, for a fun author visit and signing. Join us for a day of books and bookish delights. Author list currently in formation. If you are a local children’s book author, feel free to reach out to g@katonahbooks.com for details.

This Wednesday, July 22, from 5-7pm, join us for an open game night. We will be open late for ice cream and treats, shopping and hanging upstairs. All ages welcome. We will have games out and space available. Call a friend, make a friend, come chill. Walk-ins welcome or let us know you’re coming below.

Headed on a trip this summer? Check out these fun National Park mysteries. A great way to get the kids in the mood and find out a little about the park you’re visiting.

We’ve got plenty of copies on hand if you want to have a read before seeing the movie. Come grab this classic and read up!

Romantasy book club next read “These Immortal Truths”, August 29 at 12:30pm.

Both epic and intimate, These Immortal Truths is an enchanting and romantic historical fantasy that explores not only what it means to live forever, but what it means to truly live at all.

Pamela is back in September with a new five session class on Tuesdays at 10:30am-12:30pm: September 15, 22, 29, October 6, & 13. In Person upstairs at the Katonah Reading Room in our special event space, $200 for the 5 sessions.

We keep a FULL list of events, workshops, and RSVPs on our website, at KatonahReadingRoom.com. If you ever need to find something, have a look there first

We are bringing Elana back for another pottery paint palette workshop. Look how great everyone’s turned out!!! So happy. Join us this time July 27th for Pottery Paint Palette making at 10am, $75 for two hour workshop OR Pottery Cheese plate and dip bowl July 30th at 2:30pm, $80 for two hour workshop.

Wednesday, July 22 at 9:30am, $75 for 90 minute group experience. Refill Your Cup— step away from the constant pace of life and spend 90 minutes filling your own cup!

We will start with gentle guided breathwork to help you settle in, followed by an immersive sound experience, and a few quiet moments at the end to reflect before heading back into the world.

Join us with our favorite Angel Card reader, Theresa. Theresa connects people with their angel guides in 30 minute sessions. She is lovely and calm and only lets the good in the universe in. People who have had a reading with Theresa in our past sessions have been so touched and happy. Come give it a try! 30 minutes, $75/appointment. August 1, 2026 between 9:30am and 1:45pm, choose your time below.

Join us for a workshop in our garden! Sara Totten will be leading attendees in a workshop on paint sketching with watercolor. Perfect for people who want to perfect their art journaling, sketching, travel art, or general painting skills. Beginners welcome! RSVP required, $50/person. July 14th at 2pm. Please come prepared for being outdoors for part of the class (wear a hat!) and bring any art supplies you prefer. We will have paper, paints and brushes available if you do not have your own.

Join the group Mondays at 2pm for community writing exercises. Casual prompts or just enjoy the space for your own writing needs. Bring your own writing tools and just enjoy the company. No RSVP necessary, free and open to walk-ins.

I’ll be honest, I LOVE Danny McBride. I find him absolutely hysterical - The Righteous Gemstones series is something I could watch over and over. Anyway, he just came out with a collection of short stories, “Thrilling Tales of Modern Men” and the audio book is beyond FABULOUS. Go to Libro.fm now and download it. Take it on your next road trip. Listen to it with your spouse. The stories are sooo good and funny and crazy and snarky - poking fun at certain men and their behaviors. Brilliant. Enjoy.

Join us in celebrating Romance on August 15th from 1-3pm for Bookstore Romance Day. We will be hosting a gathering of local Romance authors to casually chat about their stories, sell their books and sign books. Save the date to attend - and if you’re a Romance author yourself, reach out to us and get on the list.